Gunns, Henry (1811-1896)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1873

Henry was born on 12 November 1811 at Stowbridge, Norfolk. He was the youngest of 10 children. His father died when Henry was 7.

In 1825 Stowbridge had its first visit from Primitive Methodist missionaries and Henry was the first fruit of their labours. Henry entered into business, married and was for many years a local preacher. On the death of his first wife, Henry accepted a call to ministry.

Ministry

His obituary records that on all his stations, Henry achieved much success and had the unspeakable joy of leadings hundreds to Christ.

Family

No information has been identified about Henry’s first wife.

Henry married Maria Harpley (1818-1887) in 1850 at Wisbech. Census returns identify five children.

  • Priscilla (1851-1926) – married Richard Edward Howchin, a schoolmaster (son of Rev Richard Howchin); they emigrated to Canada
  • Elizabeth (b1852) – married Frederick Groom Redman, a shoe and leather merchant
  • Aquila (1853-1941) – a printer compositor
  • Amelia (1856-1943) – a dressmaker
  • Katrina (b1858) – a music teacher and later dressmaker (birth registered as Katherine)

Henry died on 19 February 1896.

Circuits

  • 1845 Upwell
  • 1846 Littleport
  • 1847 Fakenham
  • 1849 Cambridge
  • 1851 E Dereham
  • 1853 Wangford
  • 1855 Fakenham
  • 1859 Norwich
  • 1862 Downham
  • 1865 Lynn
  • 1868 Cambridge
  • 1871 Lynn
  • 1874 Norwich
  • 1878 Norwich (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1873 (portrait)

PM Minutes 1896/11

W Leary,Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits , 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

Comments about this page

  • Ray,
    Thanks for that additional information.

    By Geoff Dickinson (29/04/2020)
  • I think Henry’s first wife was Anne Harpley (1813-1842) the eldest sister of his second wife Maria. They were married on 8 August 1834 at Stow Bardolph (outside Kings Lynn). Their child Fanny Gunns died aged 6 months and was buried in Feb 1840. Anne died 2 years later and was buried at Stow Bardolph on 28 April 1842.

    By Ray Poll (29/04/2020)

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.